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Your Observer

Don Champion, the Rev. Gregg Ellery, the Rev. Craig King and the Rev. Mark Childers (back row) and Valerie Ellery and Marsha Champion (front row) switched newspapers with taxi driver Ali (front row, center) near Johannesburg, South Africa.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com and click on the 'Contests' tab in the upper-right hand corner to submit your entries. We can't wait to see where The Observer will travel next!

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 5, 2014
Sochi Bound

Ellenton skaters Nathan Bartholomay and Felicia Zhang held hands for the first time in May 2011.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch High team celebrates following its victory over Seminole in the Class 4A-Region 3 finals.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 5, 2014
Back-to-back champs

The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team will face Melbourne in the FHSAA Final Four for the second-consecutive season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco Lakewood Ranch sophomore midfielder Felipe Dangond battles a Fort Myers defender for possession in the first half.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 5, 2014
Mustang Magic

With players 100% healthy, the Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team is peaking at the right time.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kelsey Grau The seawall in the Gulf at 6541 Gulfside Road won't be torn down after commissioners decided not to purchase the property.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 5, 2014
Commission won't pursue Gulf-front property

The majority of commissioners decided that purchasing a home on the beach wasn't a good use of taxpayer dollars.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Carlos Manuel Reyes-Sanchez
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 5, 2014
Key Club trainer arrested for first-degree murder

Carlos Manuel Reyes-Sanchez, 30, was arrested without incident last week at the resort's fitness center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
These wetlands were once covered with 6 inches of Australian pine needles. Newly planted spartina grass helped mangroves to grow that today are alive with fiddler crabs, minnows, crustaceans and sea birds that feed on the rich fauna.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 5, 2014
Audio tour spotlights protected Sister Keys

Sister Keys is home to gopher tortoises and gumbo limbo - but no golf courses - and your cellphone can help you find out why.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 5, 2014
Police: Two jewelry thefts don't appear to be related

Both incidents occurred Jan. 28, within approximately 1.25 miles - but police say the similarities end there.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 5, 2014
Aria condos attract those looking for new inventory

Ten of 16 available units were reserved during the first week the project began taking deposits from buyers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Aria rendering
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Letters to the Editor

Send in your Letters to the Editor to City Editor Robin Hartill at [email protected]. Editor reserves the right to edit letters based on space. Letters pertaining to local matters receive precedence.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 5, 2014
Kiwanis Club cashes in with Vegas theme

This year's Valentine's Ball allows participants to win prizes and children to receive scholarship money.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photos Commissioner Phill Younger performs at a cabaret show.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Younger: Think you 'cancan' dance?

In the 1980s, Commissioner Phill Younger and his wife, Fanny, spotted a cabaret restaurant while roaming the foothills of Nice, France, with a memorable moniker: Chez Fanny. They vowed to return.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Submitted by Julie Becker Casa Del Mar Beach Resort. Unit owners enjoyed a Jan. 20 trip to the Sarasota Kennel Club to watch greyhound racing. The excursion is an annual tradition for owners at the resort.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
You Observed

Here's a roundup of reader-submitted photos from events around the Key. To submit photos for this weekly feature, email Robin Hartill at [email protected].

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manfred Welfonder, Bernie Ditchik, Mike Tighe and Marty Hauselman
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Bernie Ditchik courts 90th birthday

Longboat Key resident Bernie Ditchik celebrated his 90th birthday Jan. 28 on the tennis courts of the Players Club with friends Manfred Welfonder, Mike Tighe and Marty Hauselman.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Obituary: William Robert Jones

William Robert Jones, 82, of Irvington, N.Y., and Longboat Key, died Jan. 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Obituary: Marion Elizabeth Koerner

Marion Elizabeth Koerner, of Akron, Ohio, and Longboat Key, died Jan. 24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Moody
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 5, 2014
Your Neighbor: Vonnie Moody

Vonnie Moody rescued her first greyhound 10 years ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By George Rauch
  • February 5, 2014
Market Watch: The U.S. dollar is no longer as good as gold

Approximately $80 billion of brand-new money is made each month, creating an inflated, over-valued market.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
FAMILY TIME. Penny Klein and Les Brassington brought their Longboat Observer along while visiting their grandchildren, Brooks Dahl, Coleman Dahl and Grey Lancaster, in Lake George, N.Y.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com/itsreadeverywhere to submit your entries. We can't wait to see where The Observer will travel next!

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Robin Hartill The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce has a three-year lease on its new location at the Centre Shops.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 5, 2014
Business Briefs

Chamber makes a move with help from its members; Cannons Marina to attend Miami Boat Show; Barbara Miller celebrates anniversary with Coldwell

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pam Eubanks Edward and Aurea Justyk, of the Treetops neighborhood, use services Center for Building Hope, in Lakewood Ranch, offers every week.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 5, 2014
East County laces up for run, renew

Brides Against Breast cancer created a 5K - which includes a wedding vow renewal ceremony -- to engage brides after their wedding day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Photo courtesy of Michael Saunders & Co. This home at 613 Tyler Drive has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,693 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,625,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 5, 2014
John Ringling Estates home sells for $1,625,000

A home in John Ringling Estates tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Frederick Beyerlein submitted this sunset photo, taken near Spanish Main Yacht Club.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Weather: Longboat Key

Frederick Beyerlein submitted this sunset photo, taken near Spanish Main Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Amanda Sebastiano This Lake Club home, which has four bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths, a pool and 4,436 square feet of living area, sold for $1,225,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 5, 2014
Lake Club home tops sales at $1,225,000

A home in Lake Club tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Ronna High submitted this sunrise photo, taken overlooking the Rosedale golf course.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Weather: East County

Ronna High submitted this sunrise photo, taken overlooking the Rosedale golf course.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alan and Ruth Ades
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 4, 2014
Major Gifts Dinner

Major Gifts Dinner

  • Black Tie
Peggy Albano and Karen Cobridge
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 4, 2014
'A New Beginning' Fashion Event

'A New Beginning' Fashion Event

  • Black Tie
Sarasota Police Chief called 'Operation Sarasota Cartel II' a "historic" program for the organization.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 4, 2014
VIDEO: Sarasota Police uncover local drug ring

The Sarasota Police Department today unveiled the results of an operation the ended with 10 arrests and the seizure of 12 kilos of cocaine.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Matthew Minor, director of development and community engagement, Harvest House graduate Kristen Kohl, and Erin Minor, executive director of Harvest House
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 4, 2014
The Good News: Harvest House

For those struggling with addiction or homelessness, the organization offers social services for a fresh start.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Jeremy and Megan Udell and JNF CEO Russell Robinson with honorees Janet and Bruce Udell.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 4, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Jewish National Fund Guardian of Israel Awards

The Jewish National Fund held its annual Guardian of Israel Award Luncheon Tuesday. The luncheon honored Bruce and Janet Udell and Dr. Norman and Hannah Weinbery for their deep involvement in the Jewish community. 'It is an honor for us to honor them,' said JNF CEO Russell Robinson on the honorees. 'To have them as a part of our community is a privilege.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
More than 30 Pine View students in 11 sub teams earned enough points to qualify them to compete in the state tournament.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 4, 2014
Sarasota forensic teams to compete in state championship

Speech and debate teams from Pine View School and Sarasota High will compete in the Florida Forensic State Tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Funded by a Longboat Key Garden Club grant, this sign on the town dock details the evolution of Sister Keys. (RustyChinnisImages.com)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 4, 2014
Audio tour spotlights Sister Keys history

Sister Keys is home to gopher tortoises and gumbo limbo - but no golf courses - and your cellphone can help you find out why.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota's Big Pass has never been dredged.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 4, 2014
SKVA: 'No hole in our shoal'

The Siesta Key Village Association has joined the growing list of Siesta groups formally opposing a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project to mine the Big Pass shoal for Lido Beach sand.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The seawall in the Gulf at 6541 Gulfside Road won’t be torn down after commissioners decided not to try and purchase the property.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 4, 2014
Commission won't pursue Gulf-front property

The majority of commissioners decided Monday night that purchasing a home on the beach wasn't a good use of taxpayer dollars.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The seawall in the Gulf at 6541 Gulfside Road won’t be torn down after commissioners decided not to try and purchase the property.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 4, 2014
Commission won't pursue Gulf-front property

The majority of commissioners decided Monday night that purchasing a home on the beach wasn't a good use of taxpayer dollars.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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